Which rifle in .338 Lapua?

This is a discussion on Which rifle in .338 Lapua? within the Bolt Action forums, part of the Gun Forum category; Ok, I'm about to ask a question here for you bolt action gurus. I've been wanting a rifle in .338 Lapua for several years now. ...

Ok, I'm about to ask a question here for you bolt action gurus. I've been wanting a rifle in .338 Lapua for several years now. It all started when I watched a special on the British Royal Marine snipers and their L115A1 rifles in .338 Lapua. I really like that rifle and you can buy them, but they aren't exactly cheap either. Armalite makes a bolt gun in .338 Lapua which is subtsantially cheaper, but it doesn't have all the features that come with the Accuracy International L115A1. I know you get what you pay for, but does anyone have any experience with either or both and what can you add? I believe there are a few other small companies that will build rifles in .338 Lapua, usually based on a Remington 700 action, but that starts to approach the price level on the Accuracy International! All comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Semper Fi!

The only .338 Lapuas I have shot were an Accuracy International, the Armalite AR-30, a Blaser, and an HD Rifles custom on a Remington 700 action (I have also seen custom Precision .338 Lapuas built on Sako 550 actions).

I didn't shoot any of these side-by-side, and in some cases I shot them several years apart. They were also topped with a variety of optics and using a myriad of ammo.

The AI was my favorite, I just like the overall design of their rifles (as long as prone shooting is your game).

In accuracy, they all shot exceptionally well.

For the money, the Armalite is hard to beat. I actually have more rounds fired out of an Armalite than the other models. With both Black Hills and Lapua ammo, the 2 that I have shot exhibited top notch accuracy.

You're right, it ain't as fancy as the AI, but the target down range don't know the difference!

The Remington 700MLR, chambered in .338 Lapua, should be available sometime this fall. I don't have a price on it yet, though.

The new Remington 700 is the cheapest of the factory rifles, but it reportedly does not have a muzzle brake so plan on having one added -- maybe $200 or so. That rifle is basically a 700P in 338 Lapua. Next up in price is the Armalite. You can buy a light weight Sako hunting rifle in 338 Lapua. It should rattle your fillings. You get into rarified atmosphere with the Blaser and the Accuracy International rifles.

The 42 is the gun this round was made for .
Everything is perfect , the bolt is like glass , the stock can be adjusted all over the place , the trigger is fully adjustable , muzzle brake works great , ( it really is not bad with out the brake) . Best of all they shoot like a house on fire !!

I kick myself for selling mine .

Down fall .......$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for all extra's . IE; $225 a mag

Last edited by KIDGLOCK; August 23rd, 2006 at 03:18 PM.
Reason: ADDED INFO

Thaks for the input KIDGLOCK. Valuable info there...you're the first person that I have heard say anything about the Sako. I don't remember ever even seeing any articles on that rifle. Read lot's on the AI, the GA's, Armalite's etc. All of these rifles are definitely high $ (some more than others), but wow, $225 a mag?! And I thought $120 was expensive for a MK11MOD0 magazine! I guess you learn something new every day.

I have owned a TRG 41 for 6 years, absolutely the most accurate rifle i have ever had the privelage to shoot and own. On a bad day it was a 1/4 moa rifle out as far as i could shoot it with lapua 250 grn scenars. I put an ops inc break on mine , it only got better.The gun would keep up with my friends single shot nesiks BR rifles that cost him more than my gun ( couple thousand more).
Downside, you have to deal with beretta to get the accessories(pain in the 4th point of contact) and they are expensive( damn bipod $350 plus) but all the acces are first class. It dont like the 300grn bullets very well(1/11 twist, aprox) but it still shoots them better than most guns that have a better twist.You just cant buy a better 338 lapua rifle, no matter the cost.

Another option would be to have montana rifleman make you a barreled action in .338 Lapua. Thats what I had done. 26" heavy barrel with muzzle brake. The stock was made by MPI and was filled almost completely for weight. I haven't had the chance to shoot it much, but what little I did sure was fun...and very accurate.

I'd show a picture of it or post a link, but I dont have the post count to do it. I guess if anyone wants to see it they can PM for the link.